Why We Like Home Shows

More items in our old home need repair or replacement, so we've been frequenting home shows to get ideas. Sometimes the technology is so much more advanced--for example, tankless water heaters--over what we have that we place an order on the spot.

We spent the day at the San Mateo Fall Home, Landscape and Solar Show. This time we just did what we usually do--truck home an armload of brochures. Solar panels are hot now---the cost is coming down while the quality and performance are going up---so we'll probably be a buyer in the next 2-3 years. Bathroom remodels and driveway repaving are also on the list.

Obviously, we don't have to go to a home show to do research or to place an order. But they're a good place to dream. © 2013 Stephen Yuen